Minutes

Park and Recreation Commission

Minutes

(meeting taped)

Monthly meeting: Monday, February 14, 2005 in the
Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall.

Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

At this time a moment of silence was observed for the
passing of member Edward Handi. Members remembered him for his tireless
efforts for recreational activities throughout the years. Chairman Walsh
noted that Mr. Handi always got involved in things for the right reason. He
never did anything that was selfish; everything he did was for the best of
everyone. Even as a referee, he always had the respect of everyone involved.
His passing is a tremendous loss to the commission and the community.

By roll call, members present: John Walsh, Al Felice,
Matt Cripps, Karen Izzo and Beverly Moran. David Mikos was excused.

A motion was made by Karen Izzo and second by Beverly
Moran. Move to accept the minutes of the meeting on December 12, 2004, as
written. Motion carried unanimously.

No meeting was held in January due to a lack of quorum.

Public portion:

No one else forward and public portion was closed.

Correspondences:

A letter dated January 28, 2005 from Bernard Williamson
asking for changes in the membership rate structure was presented. Mr.
Williamson asked that the structure be changed so that rather than World War
II Veteran, the classification should be veteran 62 years of age and up.

Members reviewed the current rate structure. It was noted
that these fees were set at the time the Commission took over the
supervision of the Center and special care was given to acknowledge the
World War II veterans who were the impetus for the building.

Yearly Full Health Club member’s fees:

ResidentNon-Resident

WWII Veterans FREE $50.00

Other Veterans $100.00 $200.00

Derby Residents $200.00 $250.00

Derby Police /FD $150.00 $175.00

Family Health Club $375.00 $475.00

(add $75.00 for each Child 16 & up)

Senior Citizens (62 & up) $125.00 $175.00

Mr. O'Connell stated that currently there are:

ResidentNon-Resident

World War II Veterans 23 13

Veterans 44 10

Seniors 25 19

Members discussed various options and concluded that the
matter should be further explored with Mr. Williamson.

A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Matt Cripps.
Move that the entire rate structure for the Derby Veteran's Community Center
be referred to the Finance Committee for review during deliberations for
next year’s budget presentation. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. O'Connell presented a memo dated 2/7/05 given to
Little League parents during registration. It states that the Mayor has
appointed a Little League/Girls Softball Complex Search Committee consisting
of Dennis O'Connell and James Benanto (Shelton High School Athletic
Director) as co-chairs, Gary Haydu, Raymond Krieger, Barry McMahon, Roger
Bowman, Matthew Cripps, Ronald Russell and Gary Cirillo. Field requirements
have been determined to be two tournament sized fields with grass infields
and raised pitching mounds, 2 tournament sized multi purpose fields with
skinned infields and one T-ball field consisting of at least a full size
infield.

NEW or OTHER BUSINESS:

A.) Election of Officers:

A motion was made by Karen Izzo and second by Beverly
Moran. Move to nominate John Walsh as Chairman of the Parks & Recreation
Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

No other nominations were received. The floor was closed.
Members congratulated Mr. Walsh and commended him on his continuing efforts
for recreation in the City. He felt that this year will be a positive year
for recreation in the City and will include looking at changes in staffing
and facilities that will effect the budgetary process. He encouraged
maintaining a ongoing relationship with the schools and the new
superintendent regarding the shared facilities.

A motion was made by Beverly Moran and second by Karen
Izzo. Move that in the absence of the Chair, the next senior member of the
Commission shall serve as temporary Chair. Motion carried unanimously.

B.) Update on Public Works reorganization: The
department will be hiring shortly. Public Works Director Gary Parker will be
invited to an upcoming meeting.

C.) Update on Neighborhood Committee request to have
the Commission oversee the administration of Witek Park: This request
ties into the Public Works reorganization. The Facilities Committee is
discussing this request. The Committee feels that the Onopiak property would
remain as an open area with the possibility of running some environmental
type programs there and the possibility of adding a major type walk to the
property. There are deed restrictions that will limit the use.

At Witek Park, the Committee has no plans for expansion
of athletic fields but did envision the potential for paths and possibly
bathroom facilities.

A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Beverly
Moran. Move to recommend to the Neighborhood Committee that the Onopiak
property be considered for open space with some possible environmental uses
and the potential for a nature trail being established. Motion carried
unanimously.

A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Beverly
Moran. Move to recommend to the Neighborhood Committee a statement that the
Parks & Recreation Commission would like to see additional trails be blazed
to the Witek Park Complex and the Commission also foresees a future need for
some form of restroom facilities somewhere in the complex, however the
Commission does not desire to take over the park until a full maintenance
program can be developed in conjunction with the Public Works Director to
the Commissions liking. Motion carried unanimously.

D.) Update on Little League field improvements:

Mr. O'Connell continues to communicate with the League.
At the urging of the Public Works Department, the minor league field fence
was replaced for safety reasons.

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report: Mr. O'Connell
stated that Youth basketball season is coming to a close with All-Stars now
being played. The season should end by the end of February.

The budget process is beginning and the Finance Committee
will be preparing the 2005-2006 budget for the next Parks & Recreation
Commission meeting.

Little League is registering.

Members discussed how the programs account for their
revenue. It was noted that Little League, Pop Warner and Soccer are
organized as 501 c3 programs. The Basketball program is managed by a
committee. The Finance Committee will review this process.

Athletic Director’s Report: Mr. Orazetti was excused.

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee – The budget is going well. The
Committee will be meeting to develop the budget proposal. The will look at
the structure for salaries as last year they became aware after the budget
process, that the Board of Alderman has to approve all salary increases.
They were encouraged to develop a list of capital needs and prepare
documents and pictures to support their request.

Programs Committee – The Committee met but there was
poor attendance. A meeting will be scheduled inviting program directors to
begin discussions on the upcoming budget process. A finance report from each
program will be requested. It was felt that these reports are necessary and
should be contingent on their future funding. The Committee will be looking
at training classes, coaching classes and continuing CPR and Red Cross
certification. Members stressed the importance of involving parents and
possibly providing workshops to enhance their recreational experience for
their children.

Facilities Committee – Plans for the Greenway are
being reviewed to bring the project within the budgeted funding. With the
cost of steel escalating, the structure of the bridges are being reviewed.
It is anticipated that the construction will be done in 2005.

The Public Works department has moved a rock in place by
the gate at Witek Park to discourage access by ATV’s. No vandalism was
reported.

A motion was made by Matt Cripps and second by Karen
Izzo. Move to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be
Monday, March 14, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. If the Aldermanic Chambers
are unavailable then the Veteran’s room will be requested.